Itsme

EA to Deliver New Game Content Directly to Fans
Monday November 14, 2:09 pm ET
Battlefield 2: Special Forces(TM) Download Sales Start Today


REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2005--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) today announced the launch of online digital distribution that will deliver full games, demos, game trailers, and existing game updates to PC gamers worldwide.

"Digital distribution will keep content flowing to players, keeping their current EA games fresh and delivering new EA games quickly and conveniently," said Chip Lange, vice president of EA Online Marketing. "We are always looking for ways to better connect with our customers, and EA is innovating to give our game-playing community access to exciting and immersive content."

Beginning today with Battlefield 2: Special Forces(TM), players can pre-buy and pre-download the game using a desktop application designed for convenience and ease of use. Then, on the Battlefield 2: Special Forces launch day (Nov. 22 in North America and Nov. 25 in Europe), Battlefield fans will be ready to play.(a)

The Sims(TM) 2 fans can also take advantage of the digital distribution. On Nov. 17, the The Sims 2 Holiday Party Pack will available to download for $14.99. The Sims 2 Holiday Party Pack includes 40 fun holiday items, everything from a holiday tree to a snowman to New Year's Eve fireworks. The Sims 2 Holiday Party Pack is exactly what your Sims need to throw the perfect holiday bash.(b)

"Battlefield 2: Special Forces and The Sims 2 Holiday Party Pack are the first two online downloadable offerings from EA; with a wide array of games, and new game content available in the future," said Lange. "We've been working on digital distribution for more than a year now, and are thrilled to deliver interactive entertainment in a new way to our players."

For more information about the EA download service, visit downloader.ea.com.

zero2dash

I think this "download the app" idea is a good idea for people who don't want to wait for a boxed cd to be shipped to them (or who are too lazy to go buy one in a store ) but I know me personally - I'd rather have the physical media & instructions, etc.

It'd be nice if they let you download it and use it while you waited for the boxed set, but AFAIK no one does this.

Interesting though, nonetheless, that a games co. like EA is embracing the "download" generation...I guess this binds well for the console manufacturers who are contemplating doing a similar move.

Grafalgar

I'm all for internet-distribution. Means that little joe-schmoes like myself can make a game and 'publish' it without the need for a publisher. The customer also wins as, in theory, the game's price drops significantly since you're cutting out the distributors, retailers, etc.

Dunno how far EA is gonna take this, but here's hoping for cheaper games! =) Or at least more money going to the developers instead of the publisher.

ialsohaveadream

More importantly, this can finally make up for the fact that about halfway through the football season, you realize the player ratings for a ton of guys are way off (especially rookies, which are hard to predict). An internet update could help fix that, and make the game much more enjoyable than having to manually update the players yourself.

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